Meet the Sean Moon Band

An Up-and-Coming Band from Grand Junction

Stories by: Kaia Hofmeister, Hometown Highlight Editor
Photography by: Sean Moon Band & Mariah Hokit

The Sean Moon Band is a local up and coming band based out of Grand Junction.

Sean Moon has been expressing his passions through music for many years. His father was a pastor, so he spent a majority of is musical career performing in a church. When he moved here, he began playing for Downtown Vineyard Church, which is where he met the first several band members.

Once the initial members of the group were established, the musicians reached out to friends they had previously played with to fill the empty positions. About four years ago, the Sean Moon Band was formed. The team of friends consists of Mat Dickey on bass, Ben Chacon on piano, Trey Stadelman on drums, Steven Evens on acoustic guitar, and Tyler Schaffer on lead guitar. 

“One of our biggest things that we we decided as a band in the very beginning is we love playing music that brings people together,” Moon said. “And you know, for us, we bring quality. You know, we bring showmanship, we bring an experience — but the biggest driving factor for us is just playing music that brings people together.”

Moon explained that the band’s genre is primarily ‘outlaw country’, which is a balance between rock and country. 

“I think that the reason we read a little bit more of the rock side is because that’s what I loved listening to,” Moon said. “If it was grungy and there was screaming and yelling, I was listening to it.” 

Moon said a specific artist that he pulls inspiration is Cody Johnson.

“He puts out great music, he sings phenomenally, but even the message behind the man, I think is even deeper than the music that he plays,” Moon said.

Moon explained that everyone in the band has a variety of musical influences, which is visible in the “walkout” section of their performance. 

“So right before we play, we play this little snippet of music, but I have I designed it towards like scrolling through radio stations,” Moon said. “Every song is a song that influences somebody in the band. And so we’ve got everything from Nadler Due to like, I picked Hoobastank, one other guy who influenced his playing is like Hardy. So we all come from very diverse backgrounds.”

Moon shared that he has two memorable performances. One occurred during one of the first time he performed in front of people. 

“I got to open for Granger Smith, I just opened acoustically, but I think it was only the the third time I played like in a bar in front of people,” Moon said. “And there was probably a hundred people there. It was jam packed. But it was so memorable for me, because then I watched Granger play, and I think that he puts on the best live show ever. And so that also fueled me to be like, oh, I want to live show like that.”

The second was during last summer, when he had the opportunity to open for Dylan Scott.

“Me and my bass player were supposed to open for him acoustically outside. Weather came through and it started raining, so they moved it inside, so the full band got to play,” Moon said. “I mean, I bet there was 1000 people there. The energy was there, it was fun. You know, we did our job. We nailed it,” says Moon.

“The band definitely brings a fun energy. They preform a wide variety of music and really get the crowd involved,” Ella Adler said. Adler attended a local show of the band’s at Warehouse2565 earlier this year.

Moon mentioned that without the support from his family and the band, he wouldn’t be where he was today.

“I wouldn’t get to do what I do unless I had the support of my family. My wife 100% supports me, you know, my kids, when they can, they’re at the shows, side stage and having a good time,” Moon said. “We wouldn’t be playing what we’re playing or doing what we’re doing if I didn’t have the band members standing with me. All of them are just top notch musicians. I mean, I would venture to say they’re probably some of the best musicians in the valley.”

The Sean Moon Band can be found on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook. Their music can be found on all streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora and Amazon Music.

Some of their previous gigs include opening for artists like Scotty McCreary, Granger Smith, Dillon Scott, Love and Theft, Rodney Atkins, and the Headliner for the official kick-off party at Country Jam 2022.

The Sean Moon Band has several upcoming gigs, the list can be found on their website.

One of the events they’re excited to play is on Aug. 11, for a fundraiser called “Bangin and Twangin’ Music Festival” at the Cameo Shooting and Education Complex. Granger Smith will also be performing at this event.

They are also excited to share that they are performing at one of the after parties at Country Jam 2023.